Loading crane for shipping containers of different size

ABSTRACT

A crane for loading and unloading container ships and for otherwise handling large containers is equipped with two elongated lifting frames suspended from the cables or ropes of two hoists in such a manner that the frames may be longitudinally aligned in end-to-end relationship. Each frame is equipped to be lengthened in a direction away from the other frame by 5 ft. to 20 ft. of effective length, and the frames may be rigidly coupled so that the frame, singly or jointly, may carry any container having a length of 15, 20, 30, 35, or 40 feet.

United States Patent 1 Tax et al.

[54] LOADING CRANE FOR SHIPPING CONTAINERS OF DIFFERENT SIZE [75]Inventors: Hans Tax; Rudiger Franke, both of Munich, Germany [73]Assignee: said Tax, by said Franke 22 Filed: on. 19, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 82,106

[52] U.S. Cl ..294/8l SF, 294/67 DA [51] Int. Cl ..B66c l/00 [58] Fieldof Search....294/8l SF, 67 R, 67 DA, 86 R [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,536,351 10/1970 Zweifel et al. ..294/81 R 51 Jan.9,1973 Primary Examiner-Harvey C. l-lornsby Attorney-Kelman & Berman [57]ABSTRACT A crane for loading and unloading container ships and forotherwise handling large containers is equipped with two elongatedlifting frames suspended from the cables or ropes of two hoists in sucha manner that the frames may be longitudinally aligned in end-to-endrelationship. Each frame is equipped to be lengthened in a directionaway from the other frame by 5 ft. to 20 ft. of effective length, andthe frames may be rigidly coupled so that the frame, singly or jointly,may carry any container having a length of 15, 20, 30, 35, or 40 feet.

15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJAN 9 I973 SHEET 2 0F 4 lllllhllllPmammm ems 3.709.543

SHEEI k U? 4 Fig.6

LOADING CRANE FOR SHIPPING CONTAINERS OF DIFFERENT SIZE This inventionrelates to the handling of large containers designed for transportationby means of containerships, and particularly to a loading crane forlifting and lowering such containers.

More specifically, the invention is concerned with an improvement in theknown container loading crane which has two elongated, normallyhorizontally extending lifting frames arranged for being coupled inend-toend relationship, and suspended from the tension elements, such asropes or cables, of respective hoists. The known crane permits thesimultaneous lifting and lowering of two containers which match thedimensions of the two identical lifting frames. The two frames arecoupled to each other so that the containers suspended therefrom cannotcollide and damage each other, but the frames are capable of movingangularly about the coupling relative to each other.

The known crane can handle only containers of one standard size.

It is also known to equip container loading cranes with lifting frameswhose length may be varied to some extent. The weight, bulk, andcomplexicity of the mechanism needed for increasing the length of aframe while maintaining adequate regidity and stability do not increaselinearily with the increment desired, and it is impractical to provide alifting frame with a conventional lengthening mechanism permitting alength increase of 100 percent or more over the base or minimum lengthof the frame.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a lifting cranefor containers of the type described which can handle individualcontainers which differ in length by lOO percent or more, and alsocapable of simultaneously handling two containers of the same size or ofdifferent sizes.

With this object and others in view, as will hereinafter becomeapparent, the crane of the invention is equipped with two lifting frameswhich are elongated and normally horizontal, container engaging locks onthe frames for suspending a container from each frame, and a hoistarrangement including two sets of tension members respectively engagingthe frames for raising and lowering the same. A coupling may couple theframes to each other in end-to-end relationship. This much is common tothis invention and to the prior art.

However, the lifting frames of this invention are each provided withlengthening devices which permit the length of the frame to be increasedin a direction away from the other frame, and the coupling mechanismpermits the frames to be secured to each other in a rigidly fixedspatial relationship in which the frames are longitudinally aligned.

Other features and the attendant advantages of this invention willreadily be appreciated as the same becomes better understood byreference to the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment when considered in connection with the appended drawing inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a container loading crane of the invention and a loadsuspended therefrom in fragmentary side elevation;

FIG. 2 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 2 in top plan view;

FIG. 3 shows the apparatus of FIG. 2 in its cooperation with a differentsuspended load;

FIG. 4 shows a coupling largely obscured in the view of FIG. 1 on alarger scale;

FIG. 5 shows the crane in fragmentary front elevation; and

FIG. 6 shows a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 5 in top plan view.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2,there is seen a shipping container 10,35 ft. long and of standard widthand height, which is suspended from two lifting frames 12,12. The framesare mirror images of each other except for certain details which willpresently become evident. Elements associated with the frame 12' havebeen given reference numerals differing by a prime from the referencenumerals of corresponding elements associated with the frame 12, andwill not be discussed separately in most instances, the descriptionbeing limited largely to the frame 12 and associated devices.

The frame 12 has the shape of an elongated, horizontal rectangle and islongitudinally aligned with the frame 12' in abutting end-to-endrelationship. The portion 14 of the frame 12 near the frame 12'accomodates coupling devices presently to be described, and its heightis about twice that of the free end portion 16 of the frame.

The longitudinal side members of the frame 12 receive respective beams18 in telescoping engagement. Each beam is attached to the free end of apiston rod 15 of a double acting hydraulic jack 17 and is held in therectracted position by the associated jack. The corresponding beams 18'of the frame 12' are shown extended so that the effective length of theframe 12 is 15 ft., that of the frame 12, 20 ft., and their combinedlength 35 ft. to match the container 10.

The frame 12 is suspended from two longitudinally spaced groups 19,21 ofhoisting cables trained over respective pairs of sheaves 23,20 on theframe 12 and over a cable drum or a winch, not seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.The sheaves 23 are located near the free end of the frame 12, and thesheaves 20 approximately at the center of its length. With the beams 18'extended, the sheaves 20,23 are approximately equidistant from the endsof the lengthened frame 12' and symmetrical to its center.

The four comers of the frame 12 carry twist locks 26,28 for engagementwith sockets on suspended containers. The two locks 26 are mounted onthe free ends of the extension beams 18, and the locks 28, inoperativein the condition of the apparatus seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, are retractedso that the container 10 is suspended by its four comers from the beams18,18 by the locks 26,26. The locks are not shown in detail in thedrawing since they are not themselves part of this Invention.

The rigid connection between the frames 12,12 necessary for suspending asingle container from both frames is provided by a coupling mechanismhaving respective sections 32,33 on the frames 12,12 only outlined inFIG. I, omitted entirely from FIGS. 2 and 3 for the sake of clarity, andbetter seen in FIG. 4. The electric and hydraulic power and controllines for the devices on the frame 12 are combined in a cable 30 whichis coiled in a receptacle 29 when the frame 12 is raised from theillustrated position by the cables 19,21.

Since each frame 12,12 may be made either or ft. long, it is apparentthat the crane, only seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 to the extent necessary foran understanding of the invention, can handle single containers 30,35,or 40 ft. long, and one or two containers 15 or 20 ft. long. When theframes 12,12 simultaneously carry respective containers, a rigidconnection between the containers is not needed, and end-to-end abutmentof the frames is to be avoided if it is desired to lift two containerssimultaneously from two compartments of a ship separated by a bulkhead.

FIG. 3 shows the frames 12,12 respectively carrying 20 ft. containersand coupled in spaced end-to-end relationship by devices which are alsoseen in FIGS. 1 and 2, though less clearly. A recess in the top of theframe portion 14 which is open toward the frame 12 accomodates a slide37 attached to the piston rod 38 of a hydraulic jack 39 which may shiftthe slide 37 horizontally toward and away from the frame 12. Sockets 36spaced on the slide 37 transversely of its direction of movement areopen toward each other and shaped for conforming engagement by latches48 mounted on the long arms of respective rockers 40 and having each theshape of an isoceles right triangle in horizontal section.

The rockers are pivoted to the frame 12' on vertical pins 42 in a recessclosely similar to that which receives the slide 37 in the frame 12. Theshort arm of each rocker 40' is hinged to a small hydraulic jack 44pivotally mounted in the recess of the frame 12 for swinging theassociated rocker 40 between the fully extended position of FIG. 3 inwhich the latches 48 are received in the sockets 36, and the rockers 40are about parallel and the retracted position of FIG. 2 in which therockers 40 are entirely withdrawn within the frame 12. A resilientmounting pad 50 is interposed between each latch 48' and the associatedfree end of an arm 40.

The two coupling mechanisms arranged on respective sides of the frames12,12 are represented by the showing of FIG. 4 which illustrates onerigid coupling mechanism 32,33, the other one being substantiallyidentical.

The section 32 of the coupling mechanism which is mounted on the frame12 consists of an internally threaded disc 52 rotatable in a frictionlining 31 which impedes, but does not prevent rotation of the: disc, andof an electric gear motor, not shown, which is coupled to a partlythreaded spindle 50 for rotating the same, as indicated by a curvedarrow. The spindle 50 carries a fixed collar 54 at the end of itsthreads near the motor.

The section 33 of the coupling mechanism includes a conical guide funnel56 coaxial with the spindle S0 and leading to an internally threadeddisc 58 pivotally mounted on the frame 12 in bearings 46.

As is evident from FIG. 3, the two containers 10 may be lowered into twocompartments of a ship on either side of a bulkhead. The containersremain coupled to each other by the rockers 40 and the sockets 36 untilthey are separated by the bulkhead and can no longer damage each otherby colliding. The rocker arms are then retracted into the position seenin FIG. 2, and the containers 10 may be brought to rest in therespective compartments. The width of the gap between the containers andtheir positions relative to the bulkhead may be adjusted by shifting theslide 37. If

it is desired to lock the frames 12,12 rigidly to each other to makethem ready for carrying a single large container, the rockers 40 and theslide 37 are operated to engage the spindle 50 on the frame 12 with theconical guides 56 on the frame 12' until the free ends of the spindles50 touch the discs 58.

When the spindles 50 are then turned by the nonillustrated associatedmotors, the threads on the spindles 50 engage those in the discs 58',such engagement being facilitated by thepivotal mounting of the discs 58which compensates for slight misalignment. The discs 52 stand still inthe associated friction linings 31 until axially engaged by the collars54, and the two frames 12,12 are drawn toward each other by the spindle50 only after the spindle is safely engaged in the disc 58'. As is shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, the frames 12, 12 ultimately abut against each otherand cannot pivot about a transverse horizontal axis under the weight ofthe container 10 applied to the operative locks 26, 26, the locks 28,28' being inoperative.

A preferred manner of suspending the frames 12,12 from the trolley 59 ofan associated crane is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the trolley and theframes 12,12 being omitted from FIG. 6 for a clearer representation ofthe hoists.

Referring initially to FIG. 5, there is seen the group 19 of hoistingcables 19a,19b which are trained over the sheaves 23 on the frame 12.One end of each cable 19a,19b is fastened to a cable drum 64 on thetrolley 59, and the other ends of the two cables are attached to partsof a beam 62 which are equidistant from a pivot 63, the beam beingsuspended from the pivot. Helical tension springs, not themselvesvisible, are interposed in respective housings a,60b between the cableends and the beam 62.

The drum 64 is operated by an electric drive unit 65, as is shown inFIG. 6, and accomodates not only the cables of the group 19, but alsothe cables 21a,21b of the cable group 21 which connect the sheaves 20with another beam pivotally suspended from the trolley 59 in the mannershown in FIG. 5. A winch 64' having its separate drive unit 65 operatesthe cables for the frame 12 as described with reference to the cablegroups 19,12. The winches or cable drums 64,64 are coaxially mounted onthe trolley 59 and may be coupled by means of an electromagnetic clutch70.

Each cable group 19,2l,19',2l' provides a V-suspension for theassociated frames 12,12 and thus prevents oscillations of the container10 in the plane of FIG. 5 on the beam 62. Oscillation of the beam itselfis limited and clamped by a telescoping shock absorber 66 interposedbetween one end of the beam 62 and the trolley 59, andanalogous shockabsorbers 67 are provided for the other three beams. The springs in thehousings 60a,60b for the cable group 19, and the corresponding springsin the housings 61a, 61b for the cable group 21 tend to equalize theloads supported by the several cables. The springs are chosen for equalspring constants.

The spring arrangement has been found effective in preventingoverloading of individual hoisting cables by containers whose center ofgravity is relatively far from the geometrical center, and for operationof each frame with its extension beams 18,18 retracted so that thesheaves 20,23 are not symmetrical relative to the frame center, or foroperation under the conditions of FIGS. 1

and 2, when one frame is extended while the other is contracted to itsminimum length.

When the two frames 12,12 support respective individual containers, asshown in FIG. 3, the rockers 40 provide a somewhat flexible couplingbecause of their own resiliency and because of the resiliency of thepads 50. If needed, the frames 12,12 may be given additional, limitedfreedom of relative movement by loosening the engagement of the sockets36 by the latches 48. This is convenient, and may sometimes be necessaryin simultaneously setting two containers into different compartments ofa ship, as mentioned above.

What is claimed is:

1. In a container loading crane including two elongated, normallyhorizontal frames, container engaging means on each frame for suspendinga container from said frame, hoist means including two sets of tensionmembers respectively engaging said frames for raising and lowering thesame, and coupling means releasably coupling the frames in end-to-endrelationship, the improvement which permits a single container to belifted by said two frames comprises:

a. lengthening means for increasing the length of each frame in adirection away from the other frame,

. said coupling means including means for preventing pivoting movementof the coupled frames about a horizontal axis transverse to the commondirection of elongation of said frames when a single container issuspended simultaneously from said two frames,

0. said container engaging means including locking means at the twolongitudinal ends of each frame, the locking means on the end of eachframe adjacent the other frame being vertically movable between anoperative and an inoperative position to prevent damage to thecontainer, while permitting the container to be supported only by thelocking means at the opposed ends of the two frames.

2. In a crane as set forth in claim 1, said coupling means furtherincluding securing means for securing said frames to each other inlongitudinally spaced relationship while permitting limited relativemovement of the secured frames.

3. In a crane as set forth in claim 1, said means for preventingpivoting movement including engaged abutment means on said coupledframes.

4. In a crane as set forth in claim 1, said means for preventingpivoting movement including means for holding said frames inlongitudinally abutting engagement.

5. In a crane as set forth in claim 1, said lengthening means includingmeans for increasing the length of each frame by a fixed amount, wherebyeach frame may have a first length or a second length greater than saidfirst length by said fixed amount.

6. In a crane as set forth in claim 5, each set of tension membersincluding two groups of tension members, two sheave arrangementslongitudinally spaced on each frame, said sheave arrangement beingsubstantially equidistant from the longitudinal center of each frame inopposite directions when said frame has said second length. l

7. In a crane as set forth in claim 6, one of said sheave arrangementsbeing closely adjacent a longitudinal end of said frame when said framehas said first length.

8. In a crane as set forth in claim 2, said securing means including tworocker arms pivotally mounted on one of said frames, latch means on eacharm, two socket members on the other frame respectively engageable bysaid latch means for coupling said frames to each other, and actuatingmeans for pivoting said rocker members toward and away from engagementof said latch means with said sockets.

9. In a crane as set forth in claim 5, said latch means including alatch member tapering toward the associated socket member, said socketmember being formed with a recess shaped for conforming engagement bysaid latch member.

10. In a crane as set forth in claim 9, resilient mounting meansinterposed between each latch member and the associated rocker arm.

11. In a crane as set forth in claim 8, moving means for moving saidsocket members longitudinally on said other frame.

12. In a crane as set forth in claim 1, said means for preventingpivoting movement including a first, externally threaded coupling memberon one of said frames and a second, internally threaded coupling memberon the other frame engageable with said first coupling member, one ofsaid coupling members being mounted for rotation on the associatedframe, securing means securing the other coupling member againstrotation on the frame associated therewith.

13. In a crane as set forth in claim 8, said one coupling member beingsaid first coupling member, an internally threaded mounting memberrotatably secured on said one frame and threadedly receiving said firstcoupling member, friction means impeding rotation of said mountingmember, an abutment on said first coupling member engageable with saidmounting member by rotation of the coupling member, and pivot meanssecuring said second coupling member against rotation on said otherframe while permitting pivoting movement of the second coupling member.I

14. In a crane as set forth in claim 1, said hoist means including aspring member arranged in series with each of said tension members, thespring constants of said spring members being equal.

15. In a crane as set forth in claim 1, two sheaves longitudinallyspaced on each frame, each set of tension members including two tensionmembers respectively trained over said sheaves, said hoist means furtherincluding two drum members, said tension members being secured to saiddrum members respectively, two drive means connected to said drummembers respectively for rotating the same and for thereby lengtheningand shortening said tension members, and coupling means for couplingsaid drum members to each other for joint rotation.

Patent No. 3,709,543 Dated January 9, 1973 Inventor(s) HANS TAX ET AL Itis certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the title page, after line 451.7 insert [597 Foreign ApplicationPriority Data October 29, 1969 Germany P 19 54 474.2

Signed and sealed this 29th day of May 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents I FORM P"5 (10-59) I uscoMM-Dc wan-pas ".5. GOVERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE: l9! O-366-334. v

1. In a container loading crane including two elongated, normallyhorizontal frames, container engaging means on each frame for suspendinga container from said frame, hoist means including two sets of tensionmembers respectively engaging said frames for raising and lowering thesame, and coupling means releasably coupling the frames in end-to-endrelationship, the improvement which permits a single container to belifted by said two frames comprises: a. lengthening means for increasingthe length of each frame in a direction away from the other frame, b.said coupling means including means for preventing pivoting movement ofthe coupled frames about a horIzontal axis transverse to the commondirection of elongation of said frames when a single container issuspended simultaneously from said two frames, c. said containerengaging means including locking means at the two longitudinal ends ofeach frame, the locking means on the end of each frame adjacent theother frame being vertically movable between an operative and aninoperative position to prevent damage to the container, whilepermitting the container to be supported only by the locking means atthe opposed ends of the two frames.
 2. In a crane as set forth in claim1, said coupling means further including securing means for securingsaid frames to each other in longitudinally spaced relationship whilepermitting limited relative movement of the secured frames.
 3. In acrane as set forth in claim 1, said means for preventing pivotingmovement including engaged abutment means on said coupled frames.
 4. Ina crane as set forth in claim 1, said means for preventing pivotingmovement including means for holding said frames in longitudinallyabutting engagement.
 5. In a crane as set forth in claim 1, saidlengthening means including means for increasing the length of eachframe by a fixed amount, whereby each frame may have a first length or asecond length greater than said first length by said fixed amount.
 6. Ina crane as set forth in claim 5, each set of tension members includingtwo groups of tension members, two sheave arrangements longitudinallyspaced on each frame, said sheave arrangement being substantiallyequidistant from the longitudinal center of each frame in oppositedirections when said frame has said second length.
 7. In a crane as setforth in claim 6, one of said sheave arrangements being closely adjacenta longitudinal end of said frame when said frame has said first length.8. In a crane as set forth in claim 2, said securing means including tworocker arms pivotally mounted on one of said frames, latch means on eacharm, two socket members on the other frame respectively engageable bysaid latch means for coupling said frames to each other, and actuatingmeans for pivoting said rocker members toward and away from engagementof said latch means with said sockets.
 9. In a crane as set forth inclaim 5, said latch means including a latch member tapering toward theassociated socket member, said socket member being formed with a recessshaped for conforming engagement by said latch member.
 10. In a crane asset forth in claim 9, resilient mounting means interposed between eachlatch member and the associated rocker arm.
 11. In a crane as set forthin claim 8, moving means for moving said socket members longitudinallyon said other frame.
 12. In a crane as set forth in claim 1, said meansfor preventing pivoting movement including a first, externally threadedcoupling member on one of said frames and a second, internally threadedcoupling member on the other frame engageable with said first couplingmember, one of said coupling members being mounted for rotation on theassociated frame, securing means securing the other coupling memberagainst rotation on the frame associated therewith.
 13. In a crane asset forth in claim 8, said one coupling member being said first couplingmember, an internally threaded mounting member rotatably secured on saidone frame and threadedly receiving said first coupling member, frictionmeans impeding rotation of said mounting member, an abutment on saidfirst coupling member engageable with said mounting member by rotationof the coupling member, and pivot means securing said second couplingmember against rotation on said other frame while permitting pivotingmovement of the second coupling member.
 14. In a crane as set forth inclaim 1, said hoist means including a spring member arranged in serieswith each of said tension members, the spring constants of said springmembers being equal.
 15. In a crane as set forth in claim 1, two sheaveslongitudinally spaced on each frame, Each set of tension membersincluding two tension members respectively trained over said sheaves,said hoist means further including two drum members, said tensionmembers being secured to said drum members respectively, two drive meansconnected to said drum members respectively for rotating the same andfor thereby lengthening and shortening said tension members, andcoupling means for coupling said drum members to each other for jointrotation.